weekend update

Sometimes, my weekends are so slow and boring because I'm so exhausted from the week.  When Monday comes, though, I feel like I wasted my weekend.  This weekend was different in a good way.  Ever since Thursday, I feel like I have been nonstop, but it was a lot of fun.

Thursday was our Teacher Appreciation Dinner at the school.  It was Italian themed and to set the mood, we all wore paper mustaches around the entire night and played 'Mambo Italiano'.  I think the teachers loved it and enjoyed the food.  We had filmed a bunch of our students saying why they appreciated their teachers and Pat made a video of it all, which the teachers loved. It was a good way to end the week at school because the days before had been a little rocky. Ms. Moulton had been really stressed out about all of the end of the year testing which just put her in a bad mood.  When you are the only other adult in the room with someone who's in a bad mood, it can really bring down your mood. I'm glad that we got to end on a good note where we could laugh about the student videos and enjoy some good food. 

Friday night was the last school dance.  I wasn't going to go because of everything that happened last time and because Danielle was going.  Danielle has a hard time when there isn't a lot of structure with the kids because she tries to micromanage them and can't just let them go.  Therefore, being with her at a middle school dance just sounded like a nightmare.  On Thursday, though, she told us that she wouldn't be going because she had to go home for a funeral. Danielle's absence, combined with the fact that my quiet, shy, self-conscious middle schooler JR had decided to go and even went shopping for a dress the day before, was just enough reason to make me want to go.  I'm glad I did because it was an uneventful blast!  The kids were so funny and I got to enjoy being with the kids while not in school.  The best moment was when JR walked in.  All night, I kept waiting for her because I knew it was a big deal she was going. She hasn't been to any of the previous dances and is pretty self-conscious.  She reminds me so much of myself in middle school.  Anyways, I was waiting and then around 7:30 she comes walking in softly and slowly, looking around for familiar faces.  I stay up against the wall, not  wanting to embarrass her by running up to her.  She looks around and sees me smiling and comes right over and gives me the biggest hug! For JR, this was huge because she isn't one to a) show emotion b) want to do anything that could be seen as uncool....ie hug a teacher c) get attached to someone.   I almost started crying it was so nice.  I told her she looked beautiful (which she did) and she went off with her friends.  It was such a small gesture, but it truly meant more than any words or material gift could have.

Saturday I was back at school volunteering at the math and science field day.  Pat was there being dunked in the dunk tank.  Every time a student got a math or science question right, they got the chance to throw a ball at the dunk tank.  Unfortunately for Pat, these kids knew their math and science facts and he ended up under water quite frequently.  Even though it was sunny outside, it wasn't as warm as Pat would have liked and the water was quite chilly.  Needless to say, Pat was glad when the day was over.  I, on the other hand, had a blast inside.  I was playing math games with the kids and was watching them drop eggs from a balcony in all sorts of made-up concoctions.  A lot of my  kids came, which was super funny since I was in regular clothes.  One didn't even recognize me and another one was so shy he wouldn't even look at me.  I loved it!!  After we were all done, Pat and I went to Applebee's and ran errands. It was such a fun Saturday.

Before....

After!!

Skinny and pretty went out the window at Applebee's....

Some people might say that we're crazy for spending our weekends at school, but it was so much fun.  The kids are funny and it's so laid back that it doesn't feel like work.  Plus, it means so much to the kids (for example, JR) that you show up and are there for them, even when you don't have to be.

Here are the next couple of student profiles.  Enjoy!

Edward- Edward is one that I have recently fallen in love with.  He's a high energy kid, but can be one of the sweetest, most loving students.  I work with him in writing sometimes and is the one that told me "I like you Ms. Russo," which almost brought me to tears.  He has a twin in the other class and is raised by a single mom.  His dad is around, but not as consistent as Edward needs or wants.  Edward can be a tough one during our read aloud because he has a hard time sitting still and calming down after recess, but he is such a cutie and makes me just want to hug him.  Academically, he is what we call a reluctant learner, probably because school doesn't come naturally.  With a little help, though, he will be fine.  Edward is definitely one I'd take home with me if I could and will DEFINITELY miss him next year.

James- James is one that could drive a teacher crazy.  He is constantly not paying attention and is so disorganized.    He is lazy in his work, which is tough when he is way behind grade level.  He also talks out  A LOT and speaks at a volume higher than most other kids.  While these characteristics make it hard to enjoy having James in class, he is a funny funny kid always laughing and enjoying life.  He's so laid back and go with the flow he'll be nice to have around in middle school when life is drama filled.

Jashara- Jashara is one of the seven girls and girl she is.  She is head of the pack and is going to be one that all the boys are drooling over later on.  Jashara is very focused on the social aspect of school and not so much the academic side, which can be an issue.  The biggest thing with Jashara is the complaining.  When she is having a hard time with something or things aren't going smoothly, she will complain about something and ask to go to the nurse.  We started making a chart to send home and marking down every time she complained because it got so out of control.  If Jashara learns to work through challenges, she'll be a smart and fun girl to have in class.

"Choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life."  -Confucius